Revised 10/1/2005

REGIONS AND NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

Administration of US Football & Cheer is divided into regions.  US Football & Cheer Officials determine the number and composition of the regions.  The US Football & Cheer Head Quarters is located at 265 Eastchester Drive Suite #133-199, High Point, NC 27262 Phone 336-510-9962.  When contacting, use your official team or conference stationary.

 

The US Football & Cheer Program

The US Football & Cheer is dedicated to the boys & girls who participate in our programs, and to their safety.  The rules for US Football & Cheer activity of any type as published in this book are not enforced can result in legal actions and/to loss of membership. 

 

Mission

US Football & Cheer is operated to provide National Youth Sports Competition. US Football & Cheer seeks to develop young athletes who understand the importance of education and the athletics in an atmosphere that develops a lifestyle of discipline, physical fitness and teamwork. General objectives of US Football & Cheer are to inspire youth, regardless of Race, Creed, and Nationality, to practice the ideals of scholarship, sportsmanship, and physical fitness.

 

Structure

National Championships:

Single elimination tournament. Teams losing the first round game are invited to participate in a bowl game. Tournament may end on Sunday, but every attempt is made to complete the Tournament on Saturday.

 

Bowl Game:

One game played on Friday or Saturday.

 

Admission

$5.00/Game. There shall be no free re-entry.

 

Protests

Only protests involving a rule interpretation may be considered.

 

Football Playing Rules

Except as specifically modified for US Football & Cheer, all games are to be played under the State Rules for Varsity Football of the applicable governing body- the individual state member of the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations. It is recommended that each coach be provided with a copy of the current year’s high school rules. Write the National Federation at PO Box 20626, Kansas City, MO 64195.

 

Ages and Weights

July 31 cutoff- US Football & Cheer Age: The player’s age on July 31 of the current year shall be the player’s US Football & Cheer age.

 

Length of quarters

8U & 9U play four eight-minute quarters.  All other age groups shall play ten-minute quarters.  Intermission between 1st and 2nd shall be one minute. Intermission between 2nd and 3rd quarter shall be 8 minutes.  Intermission between 3rd and 4th quarters shall be one minute.

 

Intermission

Between first and second quarters; third and fourth quarters the time will be one minute.

Between second and third quarters the time will be ten minutes.

 

Time Clock

The Referee will keep the official time on the field.

 

Time Outs

Each team will have three time outs for the first and second quarters of the game. Each team will have three time outs for the third and fourth quarters of the game. In case of overtime one additional time out will be given to each team.

 

Ineligible Players

Teams found guilty of using ineligible players will be dismissed from the bowl game and/or tournament and forfeit all games. The team and all members shall not be allowed to enter any tournament site.  The team, player’s, and coaches shall be banned for life in all tournaments associated with Carolina Scholastic Sports Association, Inc.

 

Ineligible Teams List

Deerfield Beach, Florida effective November 26, 1999

 

Scoring Values

Touchdown 6 points

Point after touchdown

Run or Pass 1 point, Kick 2 points

Safety 2 points

Field Goal 3 points

Forfeit: offended team wins 6-0

     

Run up Scores

After a 28-point differential the team ahead by 28 points will be on defense until the differential falls below 28 points. The clock will run continuous until the game is finished. The team behind 28 points will gain possession of the ball on the fifty-yard line and will maintain possession until the differential is less than 28 points. In case of a fumble or interception the ball is placed on the fifty-yard line again.

 

8U & 9U Modifications

Kicking

At the start of the first and second quarter the ball shall be placed on the twenty-yard line of the opponent’s goal. The same procedure shall be followed after a touchdown.

 

Punts

The offensive team shall announce, “punt” on the fourth down and the ball will be advanced twenty yards or half the distance to the goal provided. The team is less than twenty yards from their goal.

 

Coaches on the field

One coach shall be on the filed standing three yards behind the furthest player. The coach shall not interfere with the play.

 

Division 1:

An additional year of eligibility shall be granted to athletes weighing 20 lb. or less than the maximum weight for an age division. 

DIVISION I

Division I

Age Weight

(O/L= Older/Lighter)

Mini-Mites

8 and Under 90 lbs

O/L 9 yrs, 70 lbs max

Mites

9 and Under 105 lbs

O/L 10 yrs, 85 lbs max

Jr. Pee Wee

10 and under 115lbs

O/L - 11 yrs, 95 lbs max

Pee Wee

11 and Under 125 lbs

O/L - 12 yrs, 105 lbs max

Jr. Midget

12 and under 145 lbs

O/L - 13 yrs, 125 lbs max

Midget

13 and Under 165 lbs

O/L- 14yrs, 145 lbs max

Sr. Midget

14 and under 165 lbs max

O/L -15yrs, 145lbs max

No Freshman Players

Division 2:

No weight restriction. Players above the Weight Limit must play from tackle-to-tackle on offense and defense.

DIVISION II

Division II

Age Weight

Tackle-to-Tackle

Grass Cutter

8 and Under 90 lbs

No max weight for Lineman

Jr. Varsity

10 and under 115lbs

No max weight for Lineman

Varsity

12 and under 145 lbs

No max weight for Lineman

Jr. Bantam

13 and under 155 lbs max

No max weight for Lineman

Bantam

14 and under 165 lbs max

No max weight for Lineman

 

Certifications
The USFA Officials checks player eligibility. The tournament age is determined by the athlete’s age on July 31, 2005. Identification is checked for all team members at this time. Acceptable items for identification are Original Birth Certificate, Military ID, State Photo ID, or Passport.  If you have specific questions contact Joe Hill prior to the event.

 

Ball Size

8U & 9U shall play with a Wilson K2.

10U & 11U shall play with a Wilson TDJ.

12U-14U shall play with a Wilson TDY.

 

Score Board, Chain Crew & Down Marker

All teams shall provide two volunteers to operate than Score Board, Chains and Down Marker. One person will run the Clock (Score Board) in the Press box ore on the field. Chains will switch sides following the 2nd quarter.

 

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather all games shall have the length of each quarter shortened by two minutes.  Alterations may only be made by the tournament director and must go in force for all games at all fields from that point forward for that day.  This is for the safety of all persons involved.

 

Suspended / Complete Games

A game shall be ruled as official and complete if it is called by game officials or the tournament director due to rain, inclement weather, lighting failure, or other reasons beyond our control, provided three quarters have been completed.  If three quarters have not been completed, the game shall be suspended, and resumed from that point, when safe play can be resumed.

 

Tie-Breakers

In the event of ties between two teams when pool play is in effect, winners will be decided by the following priority: 1) head-to-head competition 2) total points allowed 3) total points scored 4) coin flip.  In the event of a tie game sudden death will be employed.  Each team will have the opportunity to score within four plays from the ten-yard line.  In sudden death each team shall be awarded one additional time out.  Both teams will have an opportunity to score from the ten-yard line.

 

Warm-up’s

All team pre-game warm-ups will be done in specified areas.  No warm-ups shall be allowed on the field after the first game is played.

 

Disorderly Conduct

Any disorderly conduct, threat of, or act of violence, shall result in the removal and arrest of the responsible individual (s). Any person on the premise who is intoxicated, shall also be removed from the complex by security personnel.  Any person (s) removed under these circumstances, shall be prohibited from entering park grounds, including the parking lots, for the duration of the tournament. Upon such ejection’s, refunds will not be given to any such individuals.  This applies to ineligible teams.

 

Tobacco

Use of tobacco products is prohibited on all fields.

 

Protest

There are no PROTESTS. OFFICIALS are final word.

 

Fighting

Any player, coach or spectator who strikes another is out of the tournament …period. Any coach, manager, fan, or player who makes physical contact with an Official, or verbally threatens physical harm to an Official, is also ejected for the remainder of the tournament. If any representative of the same team shall get into a fight, or assault an Official thereafter the ENTIRE TEAM is disqualified from further participation.  There will be no physical altercations at the National Championships. There are no warnings, no exceptions. Fight and you’re gone!  Physically assaulting an Official is a felony and it will be enforced.